A Quick Guide to Healthy Food Choices

[ad_1]

Nowadays we have access to everything. In fact, we can eat almost anything at any time, but does this mean we are eating better? Let´s look at some facts. In the United States:

– Nearly 38% of adults are obese (1)

– 9,3% of the population has diabetes (2)

– About 29% of adults have high blood pressure (3)

– The No. 1 cause of death for both men and women is heart disease (4)

– 1 in every 20 deaths is caused by stroke (5)

This data reflects not only the way people eat, of course, but also other factors such as lifestyle. However, food plays a very important role. Besides being part of our daily life, we need to eat in order to survive.

If we want to eat healthier options, going to the supermarket can be quite a challenging experience. Why? Because everything that is not good for us seems to be more appealing either by the way it looks or how the package looks (this is marketing at its best). As the saying goes, “don´t judge a book by its cover.” So what can you do?

1. Choose Local

If you are looking for fresh fruits and vegetables, then buy local products. By doing this you will be also helping the farmers in your area as well as the environment! Besides this, instead of going to the freezer section to find meat or fish, try to go more often to the fish market or to the butcher shop.

2. Choose Organic

Do you really want to pay for food that was grown using chemical fertilizers and pesticides or for GMO food? Or would you rather pay for quality? This is what happens when you choose organic: it is an investment in your health and well-being. Organic produce might not be so appealing because of its size and shape, but after you taste it you will not want anything else!

3. Choose Seasonal

Nature is so wise. It gives us what our body needs according to the season. For example, have you ever noticed that there is always more fruit available during summer time? Fruit hydrates us and has also a cooling effect on our body, perfect for that time of the year!

4. Choose Whole

Whole grains are slow-absorption carbohydrates and nutritionally more complete (6). Most people, however, eat refined carbohydrates. But did you know that white flour acidifies the body, taking away minerals (7)? Furthermore, food with a high glycemic value (e.g., refined flour products and also sugar), can act as opium does in our brains, which is why for some people it can be addictive, according to research conducted by Dr. Kathleen DesMaisons, specialist in nutrition and addiction (8).

5. Choose without Sugar

When I use the term “sugar” I mean sucrose that enters very quickly in the bloodstream, disturbing the sugar levels in the blood. In the long term, refined sugar increases fatigue and steals from the body minerals and B complex vitamins (7). But, of course, everybody loves eating a sweet thing! Fruit can be one of the best options available, but if you are looking for a sugar substitute you have, for example, honey and coconut sugar.

6. Choose Unprocessed

I know packaged food offers convenience, but next time you buy it please read the label. Do you understand the ingredients or are they too hard to spell? Rule of thumb: if you can´t spell them, then put the package back on the supermarket shelf. Besides this, keep in mind that the less ingredients a product has, the better.

7. Choose Diversity

Eating a bit of everything is probably the best option if you want to have a balanced diet. However, it is important to take into account certain factors such as the season we are in, as I have written above, and our personal characteristics like age, sex, lifestyle and what our organism reacts to certain foods, so listen to your body!

Next time you go to the supermarket think about the options available. You have the power to decide the best for you, so choose wisely.

(1) Flegal K.M., Kruszon-Moran D., Carroll M.D., et al. Trends in obesity among adults in the United States, 2005 to 2014. JAMA, 315(21): 284-2291, 2016 (accessed October 2016).

(2) American Diabetes Association. Statistics about Diabetes. In American Diabetes Association, 2016 (accessed October 2016).

(3) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High Blood Pressure Facts. In Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015 (accessed October 2016).

(4) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart Disease Facts. In Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015 (accessed October 2016).

(5) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stroke Facts. In Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015 (accessed October 2016).

(6) Varatojo, Francisco. Foods also Cure. Lisboa: A Esfera dos Livros, 2015.

(7) Pope, Alexandra. The Wild Genie: The healing power of menstruation. Bedfordshire: Authors OnLine, 2001, ed. 2014.

(8) Northrup, Christiane. Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom: Creating physical and emotional health and healing. Rio de Mouro: Círculo de Leitores, 1994, ed. 2009, transl.

[ad_2]

Source by Natacha Moitinho

What Are 3 Things I Can Do About Asthma?

[ad_1]

The Mayo Clinic, representing more than 3,300 physicians, scientists and researchers, says that it isn’t clear why only some people get asthma. According to their research the cause of asthma is genetic and environmental. This means it is passed on through families and triggered by environmental exposure. Of course, there are cases that are purely hereditary and cases that are purely environmental. For example, a chronic smoker can get asthma even if they have no genetic disposition. For average people, the main concern is to eliminate the environmental causes of asthma, especially for young children who may develop the disease from exposure. There is actually 3 things you can do to greatly reduce the environmental exposure to irritants that cause asthma.

The first thing is eliminating toxins. The big ones are pet dander, Volatile Organic Compounds, such as smoke, and dust. The grand majority of dust is circulated through the home by the central heating and cooling air duct systems. This is where duct cleaning or proper window treatment and caulking goes a long way. This is a simple step that gets big results. Removing those pounds of dust is very effective and it is important to keep dust from coming in.

The second thing is looking out for is sulfates and preservatives, such as those found in shrimp, dried fruit, processed potatoes, beer and wine. In a healthy adult, with a mature liver, these foods are fine, but in growing children, for some reason, they are linked to asthma attacks. Most of those foods don’t look like anything a kid would eat, but food manufacturing companies have a nasty habit of sneaking in preservatives, such as mono sodium glutamate (MSG), under new and improved names such as glutamate acid and so on. The big red flag in the food preservation industry is the amount of salt. Table salt doesn’t really represent a threat, but the salt in food is usually linked with long chain organic preservatives such as sulfates that is shown to lead to more frequent asthma attacks. The moral of the story is: if you are buying groceries and you notice a high amount of sodium, sulfates are also likely present in that food.

The last and most important thing to avoid for asthma is cold or polluted air. Weird how very frigid air can provoke asthma, but a repeated strain on the respiratory system in the form of cold air does this. Then there is the obvious mainly considered reason: pollution! In terms of pollution, we have the most control by using electronic air filters for our indoor air and regularly changing air filters like in our cars. Those three things will give you deep, fresh breathing!

[ad_2]

Source by Dean Lanoue

Why Heat Exchangers Are Crucial In UHT And HTST Processing

[ad_1]

The heat exchanger is one of the integral parts of processing through UHT and HTST. Due to the wide use of pasteurization, especially the HTST process, when it comes to food and beverages, it’s important to know how each step of the process adds to the value of what is being pasteurized. There are different parts and layers when it comes to a system.

Before anything else, it’s important to understand what pasteurization is and how important it is as a part of food consumption.

Pasteurization of Food

When you think of pasteurization, you think of a method that’s used to preserve something to ensure that it has a prolonged shelf life. Although that’s one of the many benefits included when food is pasteurized, it’s not the only thing that food manufacturers and storers focus on. Pasteurization also ensures that you’re destroying pathogenic organisms before packing food.

Pathogenic organisms such as viruses, bacteria, molds, and yeats need to be reduced in order to ensure the longevity of what’s going to be packed. When you reduce the amount of these organisms, you’re also reducing the risk of shipping out contaminated food to consumers which could, in turn, poison them.

What’s the use of a plate heat exchanger?

A plate heat exchanger or any heat exchanger, in general, is used for a wide variety of tasks concerning industrial processes. From air conditioning components to being integral parts of cooling and heating system, they’ve become must-haves in order to efficiently control the temperature of most machinery.

Heat exchangers can be designed in a manner that lets the user reach a specific temperature and maintain it without damaging any of the other parts of a device. This means that it’s incredibly useful for usage with a multitude of what would be generic devices such as fans, belts, coolants, tubes, linings and condensers.

What is the HTST pasteurization method?

HTST, which stands for High Temperature/Short Time, is a pasteurization method that is utilized by many manufacturers today. It’s widely used by food companies to ensure the longevity of the food and beverages that they produce. It utilizes a heat exchange unit that is able to transfer the thermal energy from the foodstuff and maintain the temperature.

As long as the temperature is maintained at a designated high level, most pathogenic organisms which could be classified as harmful contents when consumed are reduced greatly. This process is incredibly efficient and has proven to save costs on energy and is one of the best ways to guarantee that the environmental concerns are minimal.

What is the UHT pasteurization method?

The Ultra-High Temperature method of pasteurization is used by companies that want a faster process that can still ensure a longer shelf life for food products. The main difference between HTST and UHT is you’d have to ensure that you package all of the foodstuff contents into sterile containers. This also means that you have to maintain a sterile environment

[ad_2]

Source by Jack Wilson

Great Importance of Industrial Heating and Air-Conditioning in the 21st Century

[ad_1]

Growth in population and rising income level of the middle class has resulted in an unprecedented demand for food, consumer goods, and many more things. Consequently, industries are nowadays using the latest available technologies to meet the evolving needs. For the same, industrial heating and air-conditioning has become a matter of paramount importance. Industries have a dependence on the generation and efficient use of heat since time immemorial, but the recent surge in demand and technological advances have pushed them to go for industrial heating and air-conditioning services from the companies that provide the same in a competent manner.

Industries Demanding a Heating System

A large number of industries today have such kind of system to have heat efficiency and less heat wastage. Some of them are the following ones:

Chemical – For many processes in this type of industry, steam is used, which needs to be regulated via an efficient heating system. As this steam is generated in boilers, heating systems are a prime requisite not only for maintaining a precise temperature as per the manufacturing requirements but also for the reduction of any loss of energy during the steam generation process.

Waste Treatment – Here, there is a use of hot water in order to eliminate the trace of any microorganisms, as they cannot survive at extremely high temperatures. Moreover, controlled combustion is essential for the treatment of solid waste in such an industry.

Food Processing – For ensuring the safety of food, a heating system is a part of this type of industry. It is used for pasteurization, heating of large ovens, food sanitation, sterilization, and many other purposes.

Biodiesel – Circulation heaters are always an integral part of the biodiesel production process. Be it the transesterification process to speed up the reaction or other vital processes, the industrial heating system found a wide application here.

Paper – It consumes a lot of energy and efficient heating systems are hence an absolute requirement to ensure less energy waste.

Industries Demanding an Air-Conditioning System

Air-conditioning has found a common application in households and offices all over the world, but for some industries, it is an absolute necessity for safe production as well as storage of the manufactured goods. Some of the listing includes the following:

  • Hospitality
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Agri-food

The future of the industrial heating and air-conditioning is bright, as extreme weather challenges have further increased the demand for such systems in numerous industries on a global basis.

[ad_2]

Source by Frank Shan

Refrigerated Truck Alternative

[ad_1]

A refrigerated truck is often the reason a business survives or fails because of the expenses related to them. Today’s economic challenges have brought forth some unique solutions for several businesses. Ideal for practically any industry that makes use of a cooling system, portable refrigerated trailers have been used by supermarkets, caterers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, fast food chains and a large number of other small and large businesses, as well as a variety of individuals for personal home use.

Save on Space

Unlike large, loud and smelly diesel truck refrigeration units, this innovative refrigerated truck alternative is available in a variety of units and a number of sizes to fit into small spaces not suitable for industry sized trucks. The 8 to 16 foot units are perfect for small businesses without a lot of room for a large standard size 48 foot truck. These units can fit practically anywhere and perfect on gravel, pavement, even grass. They will fit much more easily into a tight space than a large industry sized refrigerated truck will, and there is no danger in placing it on a slope. While large industry sized trucks should not be parked on a slope because of the risk of injury, portable refrigerated trailers can easily rest on practically any surface. They can be positioned inside or outside.

Save on Cost

In comparison with big industrial trucks, these units are extremely cost effective in today’s sliding economy. Many smaller businesses find they don’t really need the space an industry sized 48 foot refrigerated truck provides. However, even if you don’t use that space, you are still paying for it. With the rising cost of diesel fuel, why not opt for a portable refrigerated trailer that doesn’t require diesel fuel to begin with? Simply pull the unit up to your business or home and plug it in to a 110 volt power supply. With this refrigerated truck alternative, you will save a multitude of money on diesel fuel delivery and running costs.

Eliminate Odor

Gone are the days of truck trailers that reek of smelly fuel. Refrigerated trucks require diesel fuel for the cooling unit to keep running properly. Most of these convenient refrigerated truck alternatives run on a 110 volt system, requiring as little as 15 amps of power. In addition, some portable refrigerated trailers are available with a generator backup and thermostatically controlled environment.

Enjoy Convenience

Portable refrigerated trailer units can easily be positioned for convenient ground-level entry. Forget the hassle of dangerous and costly ramps. These refrigerated trailer units can be conveniently placed at any level suitable for your business or personal needs. The last decade has proven that smart businesses are going to the small reefer trailer over the refrigerated truck.

[ad_2]

Source by Tom McBride

Different Uses Of Menthol Crystals

[ad_1]

Menthol is a minty product, which is available in white crystals form that’s extracted synthetically from peppermint essential oil. It contains 70% of menthol, which make it so, beneficial for your health. It has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, which make it highly demanded in various pharmaceuticals and cosmetic industries. It is also known for its sweet aroma, minty flavor, and cooling effects. It is originally known as Japanese mint. It has so many health benefits and uses in various applications. Some of its different uses, which you never heard before, are as follows.

Food Production: Don’t be surprised, from the ancient times; it is used as a flavor enhancer in food production. It not only enhances the taste of your mouth, but also gives your mouth a cooling sensation. This is widely used to make candies.

Beverages: Yes, you can also use this menthol crystal to add flavor in your beverages. This is widely used in various cold drinks, wines, and many other sweet drinks or other beverages.

Pharmaceuticals: It has antibacterial property, which helps to fight with various health diseases. Therefore, these menthol crystals widely used in various pharmaceutical industries. This is a proven solution to get relief from a headache, stomachache, nausea, sinus, headache, common fever, cold & cough, asthma and many other diseases.

Cosmetic: Due to its sweet aroma, this is widely used in cosmetic industries. It helps to enhance the smell of your favorite perfume and used in various beauty products such as shampoos, conditioners, lip balms, creams, and lotions and so on that helps to enhance your skin.

Oral hygiene: These menthol crystals also help to eliminate the bad breath and give your mouth a cooling sensation; therefore, it is widely used in manufacturing toothpaste, mouthwash or many other oral hygiene products.

Aromatherapies: These are also used in aromatherapies because of its cooling effect or sweet odor. It is really helpful to give relief from stress, anxiety, depression or many other problems. This is the only reason why aromatherapies can do what they do.

There are so many other ways to use this mint product, which has countless benefits. So, what are you waiting for? You should buy this outstanding mint product now from reputed Menthol Crystal Manufacturers at a wallet-friendly price. One thing to keep in mind is that don’t use it on sensitive areas of the skin, otherwise, it may be harmful. It is a very good product if you use it with complete guidance.

[ad_2]

Source by Synderela Thomas

Dehumidification Technology To Keep Moisture From Wreaking Havoc

[ad_1]

The role that dehumidifiers play in business and industry today is changing. Once limited to specialized applications where process requirements dictate removal of moisture from the ambient air, dehumidifiers are making their way into a wide range of commercial and institutional HVAC applications. In addition to the historically identified benefits of reducing equipment and material corrosion, preventing condensation on cool surfaces and checking the growth of microscopic organisms, building engineers, architects and maintenance managers are discovering that the systems are well suited for use in a wide range of applications.

Dehumidification applications

One of the more common commercial and institutional applications for dehumidifiers is in computer rooms and areas with high-tech electronic equipment, which are sensitive to atmospheric moisture. In the highly air-conditioned atmosphere where much of the equipment operates, relative humidity readings frequently exceed 75 percent. At these levels, atmospheric moisture promotes corrosion of metal contacts and components within the equipment, leading to deterioration of the system operation.

Paper feeding high-speed printers absorb moisture, resulting in frequent paper jams. Dehumidifier systems help provide precise humidity control, keeping the moisture content of the air low enough to prevent these problems, but high enough so that static electricity does not become a problem.

Another institutional application where dehumidifiers have been widely used is for health care facilities, particularly those with operating rooms and intensive care units. They have strict requirements that govern the quality of applied air. The air supplied typically is 100 percent outside air and must be controlled within a fairly narrow temperature and humidity band. In many cases, dehumidification systems are necessary to meet those requirements.

Another commercial application that has made wide use of dehumidification systems is the grocery market industry. Grocery stores present unique humidity control problems for the HVAC system engineer. High humidity levels lead to frost formation on the cooling coils of frozen food cases, as well as on the products being displayed. Frost on the cooling coils increases cooling energy requirements. Frost on the product decreases customer satisfaction and increases labor requirements. Dehumidification systems, by reducing the relative humidity from the 60 percent to 65 percent range to 50 percent or less range, greatly reduce the rate at which frost forms.

The use of dehumidification systems in commercial and institutional facilities, however, is not limited to these specialized applications. The relative humidity of the air supplied to an area is an important component of the space’s overall indoor air quality. Building managers are finding that dehumidification systems can help many other facilities improve their indoor air quality while reducing energy requirements.

System advances

There are two primary ways to remove moisture from a building’s air supply: cool the air below its dew point to condense the water vapor, or pass the air over a material that readily absorbs water.

Systems that cool the air below its dew point use mechanical refrigeration. Air is passed over a cooling coil, causing a portion of the moisture in the air to condense on the coils’ surface and drop out of the air flow.

The relative humidity of the air leaving the coil is nearly 100 percent, so before it can be introduced into the conditioned space, it must be mixed with warmer air or reheated. Varying the temperature of the cooling coils controls the amount of moisture left in the supply air and the resultant humidity.

Although mechanical refrigeration dehumidification systems were popular in the past, their high energy costs have forced building operators to look for other options. The option that has been most widely accepted for use in commercial, institutional and industrial facilities is the desiccant system.

Desiccant dehumidification systems consist of a slowly rotating disk, drum or wheel that is coated or filled with an absorbent. Air being drawn into the facility is passed across one portion of the wheel, where the desiccant absorbs moisture from the air.

As the desiccant structure slowly rotates, it passes through a second heated air stream. The moist air is then exhausted from the facility. By rotating continuously, the desiccant wheel always has a freshly regenerated area available for dehumidification.

Early generation systems used lithium chloride gas as the desiccant. One problem with these systems occurred when the reactivation heater failed to operate properly or the wheel failed to rotate. The lithium chloride continued to absorb water from the airstream, but without reactivation, the wheel became saturated with moisture. Once saturated, the lithium chloride separated from the wheel and was carried off by the airflow.

With a cost of several thousand dollars to replace the lithium chloride, maintenance managers soon modified the systems to include automatic alarms should the reactivation cycle be interrupted. Newer generation systems primarily use a silica gel as the desiccant. Silica gel does not lose its adhesion to the rotating wheel when saturated.

By following a preventive and scheduled maintenance program that includes inspection of key system components, building maintenance managers can help insure that they get the biggest possible benefit from dehumidification system operation.

Dessicant System Maintenance

The most important maintenance activity for desiccant dehumidification systems is regular inspection. Unfortunately for many system operators, the first indication of system trouble is rising humidity levels in the occupied space. This is particularly important for lithium chloride based systems, as the cost to replace the desiccant material can be as high as $9,000-11,000. Consider these maintenance points:

• Air filters. To protect the desiccant from accumulating dirt from the air flow across the wheel, air filters are installed on the intake side. To prevent reduced air flow from clogged filters, inspect filters periodically. Inspection frequency depends on the level of airborne materials present.

• Drive belts. Due to the low rotation speed of desiccant wheels, one or more drive belts transfer power from the motor to the wheel. Loose, damaged or misaligned belts can slow or stop the operation of the wheel, thus decreasing dehumidification system effectiveness. In the case of lithium chloride desiccant, improperly turning wheels can lead to the loss of the desiccant. Inspect the entire drive system weekly, checking the belts for signs of misalignment, wear and slippage.

• Regenerator. It’s one of the most critical components in the operation of a desiccant-based dehumidification system. Without the regenerator, there would be no way to remove moisture from the desiccant, and the system would no longer be able to remove moisture from the building. Inspect the operation of the regenerator on a weekly basis. Safety controls and system malfunction alarms should be manually tested at least once a month.

• Seals. The absorption and regeneration portions of the wheel are separated by a system of partitions and seals. Over time, the seals can wear, allowing air to flow between the two sections of the wheel. This mixing of air flows reduces the overall efficiency of the wheel. Under normal operating conditions, the seals can be expected to last approximately five years. They should be closely inspected at least once a month, however, for wear or damage.

• Dirt contamination of the drum. The efficiency of the desiccant largely depends on the amount of surface area that comes in contact with the air flow. Accumulated dirt on the desiccant can reduce the effective surface area available for moisture absorption, thus reducing the overall effectiveness of the dehumidification system.

• Although the air filter system is designed to remove dirt from the air flow, it isn’t 100 percent effective. Also, the process of absorption of water and desorption by regeneration deposits a significant quantity of dirt on the surface of the desiccant. The desiccant surface should be inspected closely at least once a month for dirt build-up. If a significant amount of dirt is found, the surface will have to be cleaned in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Desiccant. Although desiccant loss is more of a problem in lithium-chloride-based systems than in those that use a silica gel, the desiccant can become damaged. Inspect the desiccant at least once a month for signs of loss or damage. If the system is shut down for maintenance, inspect the desiccant before it is started up again.

• System alarms and controls. Most desiccant systems are equipped with alarms that monitor the operation of key elements of the system, such as wheel rotation and the regenerator. If the system uses a lithium chloride-based desiccant, those controls and alarms should be tested at least once a month. Systems that use a silica gel desiccant do not require as frequent testing, as the desiccant is not readily damaged by moisture saturations. The controls and alarms of these systems, however also should be tested on a regular basis.

[ad_2]

Source by Julian Arhire

What You Should Know About Hot Weather Camping

[ad_1]

Don’t cancel your weekend campout because it’s too hot! Be prepared and enjoy the warm weather. As we reach record high temperatures across the U.S. it’s probably a good time to review some of the tips for hot weather camping. Here are some tips to beat the heat that I have learned from my 25+ years camping with the Boy Scouts.

The 3 big personal issues to take care of are Heat, Humidity and Hydration:

Heat

As your body heats up, evaporation is the way your body handles cooling off. As moisture (perspiration) on you is released it carries the heat away. This works well in dry, hot areas.

Humidity

Air saturated with moisture is going to have a tough time absorbing additional moisture through evaporation. So, in humid areas you need to create air movement to encourage evaporation. Breezy areas around lakes are good for this.

Hydration

Perspiration draws water out of your body, which must be replaced frequently. Being thirsty is not a good indicator of your need for water. Surprisingly enough, your urine is the best indicator. Drink often enough so that your urine is light-colored or clear. If it’s dark colored, drink more water!

Water drinking tips:

  • Keep water easily available and drink often
  • Avoid drinking lots of caffeinated drinks. They act as diuretics and remove fluids from your body.
  • Drink lots of water. Especially during a strenuous activity such as a hike. Take lots of water on a hike or hike to a known water source.

Hot Weather Clothing

Picking the right clothing for a hot weather campout can go a long way to making you a happy camper! Keep these tips in mind:

  • Pick light-colored, breathable fabrics that don’t absorb heat. Leave your black “Metalica” t-shirt at home! ☺
  • Wear a hat. Not only for shade, but to ward off sunstroke and over heating
  • Nylon or polyester shorts and shirts are always good. The fabric is cool, durable and will dry quickly when you perspire
  • Cotton is also a good choice. But I find it doesn’t dry as quickly and at night I don’t want a wet, cold shirt on my back

Bugs

If you are in a bug-infested area, you may need a hat with netting or need to wear long, light-colored pants and a long sleeved shirt. Above all, apply and re-apply insect repellent (DEET-based), especially around your ankles, neck, and ears.

Sun

I hope everyone is “programmed” to put on sunscreen and wear a hat when going on a summer campout, let alone a hot weather camp. In humid climates purchase the waterproof sunscreen so it won’t come off when you perspire. And, always use at least 15 SPF. Don’t forget some lip balm! You can get this in 15 SPF also.

There’s nothing worse than trying to sleep with a bad sunburn. ☹

Find shady places to set up camp, bring a canopy or make one by stringing a tarp between some trees.

Hot Weather Gear

When camping in hot weather you can bring the same gear as you would normally take on a campout, except your bedding should be lighter and cooler. What I mean by this is, bring a light nylon sleeping bag, or a bed sheet and a couple of blankets.

In hot, dry weather sleeping under the stars is the best camping has to offer. Slip a sleeping pad under your sleeping bag and you are set. If you need more shelter you can tie up the ends of a tarp in the trees or sling the tarp over a tight robe, tied between two trees.

Most good 3 season tents have a rain fly that goes over the top of the tent to prevent moisture from coming in. This is good in humid, hot camping, but I would remove the rain fly in hot, dry areas so you have a “screened” roof to keep the bugs out and watch the stars as you doze off.

Keeping things Cool

Once you are settled into camp and you have your personal hydration under control, your tent in the shade, and maybe a canopy setup to get out of the sum, you are pretty much ready to enjoy the campout.

Keeping food and drinks cool in hot weather is not difficult. In the desert camping I do, I bring two coolers, one for drinks and one for food. Knowing ahead of time that the drink cooler will be opened and closed all day, but the food one will not. I bring extra ice and store it in the food cooler and as the drink cooler looses ice, I replace it My coolers will keep my food and drinks cold for about two days. Any campout longer than that and I’ve got to make a trip for ice.

If you are prepared and follow these tips you can enjoy hot weather camping and especially the “under the stars” sleep out that is totally unique! I am constantly in awe of the number of stars in the sky on a clear, hot night.

[ad_2]

Source by Tim Dales

The Advantages of Commercial Display Fridges

[ad_1]

Display fridges are an integral marketing tool for any food outlet that requires food to be refrigerated. Restaurants in particular as they have perishable food products that need to be kept at optimal cool temperatures while on display. Therefore, it is essential to keep all food in a fridge until it is ready to be served. Certain commercial display fridges combine both the cooling element of a fridge with an elegant glass window display to entice customer’s appetites.

The advantages of commercial display fridges are as follows:

It can be placed anywhere. Some display fridges have a countertop option that is both compact and offers great product visibility. Another option for your counter would be a countersunk display fridge. This unit can be installed to fit in your counter as an immobile display feature. This is ideal if your restaurant doesn’t have much floor space. There are also freestanding display fridges in this range available in both straight and curved glass configurations that can be placed in any visible area in your restaurant.

It has many different applications. Commercial display fridges can be used to display a number of different food products and dishes. Bakeries can use it to display cakes, muffins, cupcakes and many other baked goods. Restaurants can use it to display tarts, pastries, and fish dishes such as sushi. It will keep the displayed food products chilled and fresh until it is ready to be served.

They are technologically advanced. Certain commercial display fridges have a variable temperature range of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and an ambient temperature of 32 degrees Celsius. These fridges have a digital display and temperature control for high accuracy along with low noise capability and an automatic defrost function. It also has a double glazed glass window to prevent condensation.

It is a great marketing tool. The display unit can be placed wherever it best catches your customer’s eye. Modern commercial fridges have been designed with modern features so that it is aesthetically pleasing to the customer. It has adjustable shelves so that you can display the food items at the correct height and it has an illuminated shelf and base for the ideal product presentation. All of these features combined make these commercial fridges the best marketing tool in your restaurant.

Commercial display fridges are the ideal catering equipment for presenting your baked goods and food products to your customers while keeping the contents always fresh.

[ad_2]

Source by Stana Peete

The Best Foods You Can Eat to Nourish the Kidneys and Bladder

[ad_1]

In Oriental Medicine, the nature and quality of food including its flavour, taste and heat/cold nature, determines its healing potential and its ability to balance or unbalance the body, through affecting the Blood, Qi and other body fluids.

There are many ‘diets, and the aim of this perspective on food and nutrition, is not to give you another ‘diet’ to follow rigidly, but rather, to give you some simple guidelines from a combined western and oriental perspective. These will give you a way to gently nurture and support your body from the inside.

The Water Element which governs the Kidney and Bladder organs in Traditional Chinese Medicine, relates to the season of winter, and it the most yin part of the seasonal cycle. It is the time for introspection, rest, putting oneself into a receptive mode and storing energy, nutrients and Chi. It is also about warming the body’s core.

The flavours that support the Water energy are the salty and bitter flavours, because they promote a sinking, centering quality.

Bitter foods include lettuce, endive, watercress, turnip, celery, asparagus, alfalfa, rye, oats, quinoa, amaranth and citrus peels.

Salty foods include, miso, soya sauce, seaweeds, millet and barley.

The Kidneys in Traditional Chinese Medicine are seen as the core of the body and are the foundation of all yin and yang qualities in the body.

The Yin energy is about nurturing, supporting, stabilizing, moistening and building the body. The Yang energy warms, energizes, and animates the body. The Kidneys also store the Jing essence, which is the Qi (vital energy) passed on from the parents. Jing determines the constitution and health of the person, and once it is used up, life ceases. Certain foods nourish Jing, and will promote the growth, renewal and development of the body and mind, resulting in more vitality, longevity, increased reproductive capacity and protection from premature ageing.

The Kidneys can manifest a deficiency of Kidney Yin and/or Kidney Yang, Deficient Kidney Qi, (which is not as deep as a Kidney Yang deficiency and Jing (essence) deficiency.

Symptoms of Kidney Yin deficiency are those which indicate a drying up of internal fluids and an increase in deficient heat symptoms. For example, dry mouth and throat, fever, dizziness, tinnitus, constipation and spontaneous sweating.

Symptoms of Kidney Yang deficiency include cold extremities, an aversion to cold, lack of sexual desire, frequent clear urination, weak knees and back and a pale complexion.

Foods that nurture Kidney Yin include millet, barley, tofu, string beans, black beans, kuzu, watermelon, berries (black, mulberries, blue) potatoe, seaweeds, spirulina, chorella, black sesame seeds, sardines, crab, clams, eggs, pork and cheese.

Foods that nurture Kidney Yang include cloves, fennel, anise, black peppercorn, ginger, cinnamon, onion family, chicken, lamb, trout, salmon, quinoa and walnuts.

Foods that build up the Kidney Chi include parsley, wheat berries and sweet rice.

Foods that nourish Jing essence include chorella, spirulina, fish, liver, kidney, bone and marrow, almonds, milk, ghee, royal jelly, bee pollen, plus vitamin A and B12.

A common imbalance in the Bladder is a condition known as Damp Heat in the Bladder, in western terms a Bladder infection. This indicates that dampness and heat have combined in the bladder, producing symptoms of burning, painful or frequent urination, sometimes fever, thirst and a sensation of urinary fullness.

Bitter, cooling and alkanizing foods help reduce dampness and heat.

Useful foods for damp heat conditions include aduki beans, lima beans, celery, carrots, winter squash, potatoes, asparagus, mushrooms, lemon and cranberries.

Eating lightly (vegetable broths) and drinking plenty of fluids is the best recommendation, especially in the acute stage of the infection.

[ad_2]

Source by Michelle Locke